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About the Colorado Rampage

The Colorado Rampage: Celebrating 20 Years

The Colorado Rampage provides the best youth sport experience for boys and girls.  Committed to the holistic development of each individual, the Rampage offers a pathway to develop habits that promote the highest character and athleticism, while inspiring a life-long passion and dreams of greatness.  Operating as a highly structured youth hockey program sanctioned by the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey, the Rampage is the only program in Colorado that operates under the same ownership as the rink facilities.  With two rinks and plans for future expansion, the Rampage provides players year-round attention and access to play and improve.  A professionally built and operated off-ice training gym inside the facility (365 Performance) elevates athletic performance and increases excellence on the ice.  Led by an extremely experienced, highly qualified veteran staff executing a scientifically proven structured age-appropriate curriculum, the Rampage is simply the best sport option for all boys and girls in the Monument, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, and surrounding communities.  (www.monumenticerinks.com)


The Colorado Rampage: Player Development

Celebrating its 20th season, the Colorado Rampage is providing all members an updated and highly-structured program to maximize fun and athletic improvement, while developing an authentic passion for the game.  Complimenting the Rampage curriculum is a comprehensive and ongoing coach and parent education program. 

Player files tracking annual on-ice and off-ice data, peak height velocity data, and stats will be created and maintained for 10U players and older.  The purpose of player files is to track long-term development progress by amassing up to eight consecutive years of Rampage player data (9-18 years old). 

Utilizing the foundation of the American Development Model, on-ice practices are organized to maximize age-appropriate skill acquisition, and designed to include five proven elements: fun, constant decision making, challenging for all players, looks like the game, and puck touches (repetition without repetitiveness).  Off-ice training is organized to maximize athleticism (agility, balance, coordination, and strength). 

At the 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U divisions, the Rampage curriculum is guided by age-specific development plans, giving coaches a detailed blueprint to teach proficiency in all necessary basic and advanced hockey skills and tactics. The Rampage coaches, age-division coordinators, the Director of Athletic Success, and the Tier-2 Director will ensure that the Rampage curriculum produces excellence in player development.  


THE AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL

The Colorado Rampage is a long-time USA Hockey American Development Model Association.  USA Hockey Model Associations fully implement programming dedicated to age-appropriate, age-specific skill development in accordance with USA Hockey's American Development Model throughout the 8-and-Under, 10-and-Under and 12-and-Under age classifications.  By implementing USA Hockey's American Development Model, the Colorado Rampage delivers more efficient skill development, produces more skilled players, and experiences an increase in player retention and advancement.  The ADM is a nationwide blueprint designed specifically to help kids reach their full potential.

The ADM utilizes long term athlete development (LTAD) principles as its framework. LTAD principles can be used as a basis on which to make our existing systems and structures more consistent. Developed by internationally renowned coach educator Istvan Balyi, and adapted to ice hockey by USA Hockey in 2009, the principles of LTAD are rooted in successful programs throughout the world.  The US Olympic Committee adopted the ADM for Team USA in 2014.


The ADM and LTAD: Age Appropriate Training

USA Hockey’s age-appropriate, age-specific programming promotes the integration of high-performance cross-ice practices and games into youth hockey. This programming enhances players' skills, creativity and participation level, while also creating a positive environment for every child to play, love, excel and reach their full potential.  The ADM and age-appropriate long-term athletic development is embedded in the Rampage curriculum for all ages and abilities.  


The Colorado Rampage: Growth Mindset Only

The Colorado Rampage is committed to a Growth Mindset only.  The science of youth development and coaching methods continues to evolve and improve; always remaining at the forefront to provide players only best practices, the Rampage is evolving and improving like the science that guides its programming.  Coaches believe and teach that ability and intelligence improve with effort and time.  The program goal is to inspire players to develop a strong growth mindset, and the intrinsic motivation to face challenges with a positive attitude and work ethic.  The Rampage Growth Mindset Only culture provides players the tools needed to achieve success in all aspects of life beyond hockey. 

"Praising the process that kids engage in: their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement.  This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient."

 


The Colorado Rampage: Pathways to Dreams

Providing development options from the beginner to the highly advanced, the Colorado Rampage organizes programming that covers the spectrum of competition from in-house recreational to the highest nationally sanctioned level of play.  The Rampage is only one of four programs in Colorado sanctioned to roster USA Hockey National-Bound teams from the 14U to 18U levels. Each season, Rampage players (13-18 years-old) have an option to play AAA (Tier-1) hockey to compete for state/regional/national championships, and attend top showcase events throughout the country.  As a long-standing member of the Tier-1 Elite League, the Rampage play games against the best teams in nation.  Highly followed by scouts, Tier-1 Elite League events provide the exposure needed to make dreams of advancement to junior, college and professional hockey possible. 

Since it's time competing on a national stage, the Rampage has produced: 22 professional players, 67 NCAA players, 16 USHL players, and 70 NAHL players!

NCAA Eligibility Center

The Colorado Rampage is proud of the numerous alumni playing NCAA hockey, and remains committed to ensuring continued success.  The NCAA Eligibility Center is the arm of the NCAA responsible for determining the academic eligibility and amateurism status for all D1 student-athletes. Previously, this part of the NCAA was called the NCAA Clearinghouse, but now, the NCAA Clearinghouse and NCAA Eligibility Center are the same process. If you want to compete in NCAA D1 hockey, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Plan to register before starting your freshman year of high school (or year nine of secondary school): CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for the 2022 NCAA College Bound Student Guide


The Colorado Rampage: Character Development

The Colorado Rampage operate under the belief that strong character that is grounded in empathy, kindness and gratitude is at the forefront of athletic development.  Rampage coaches and staff instill the habits that encompass respect, honesty, humility, accountability, and much more.  In general, those who have good character often have traits like integrity, courage, and resiliency that embody good behavior.  These character traits influence life choices.  Like no other sport, hockey provides players a safe environment to learn, practice, and gain experience making positive and impactful life choices.  


The Colorado Rampage: How We Play the Game

  • We play with speed at all times. 
  • We shoot to score at all times.
  • We play a possession game.  Hockey is a game of keep-away. 
  • We develop to become confident stick handlers and have poise with the puck.
  • We encourage risk taking and we emphasize creativity and communication to make great plays.
  • We are a team that passes the puck very well, because we know the puck can move faster that we skate.
  • We support the puck – the person without the puck must be working twice as hard as puck carrier
  • We play responsible defense to create turnovers, and understand that playing great defense is working hard to take away the opponent’s time and space.
  • We are smart hockey players who read plays, constantly work to improve our hockey sense, and are quickly adaptable to new systems and drills and feedback.
  • We understand that positive communication and team trust is the key to success.
  • We compete every second of every shift: NOBODY OUTWORKS US!

FOUR WAYS TO PLAY THE GAME:

  • Offense: You have the possession of the puck
  • Offense: You are supporting the player with the puck
  • Defense: You are defending the player with the puck
  • Defense: You are defending the play away from the puck

OFFENSIVE HABITS: 

Puck Possession, Poise, Support, Creating time and space, Pushing the Pace, Net drives, Creating out-numbered situations, Puck protection, Chipping, Net front presence, Transition, Competing without the puck, Shooting to score, Communication

DEFENSIVE HABITS: 

Pressure, Angling (body/stick position), Stick on puck/stick, Gap control, Transition, Competing without the puck, Read and react, Head on a swivel, Communication


Player Development: Hockey Sense

Hockey sense is knowing where to be on the ice, when to be there, and why.  Being able to anticipate plays is the mark of a player with hockey sense.  Understanding systems is crucial to becoming a functioning unit.  Smart hockey players are students of the game who learn to see the ice well, and anticipate what is going to happen a step ahead of other players.  Ask questions, when you don’t understand, keep asking! Be creative, be coachable, and trust your coaches and teammates.  Study the game. Watch your teammates during practice, during games watch the other lines while you are on the bench. Watch the NHL and NCAA often!

CREATE THE RIGHT HEAD SPACE FOR YOURSELF

  • Leave your bad day away from hockey…. ice time and dry-land is a sanctuary where you can come be the best you can be…let anything that is bothering you outside of the rink go for an hour or so.
  • Focus- Understand what your job is on the ice and work to make that happen.
  • Feeling- do you need to get super pumped up for games or do you play your best when are calm and composed- learn what this balance is for you.
  • Attitude – A positive attitude comes from motivation, commitment and love for the game!

WHEN YOU HAVE THE PUCK

  • Pick your head up
  • You are constantly thinking: Do I have I time and space? How can I open up the ice and create passing options and scoring opportunities?
  • Become a confident shooter and develop the habit of stepping up and taking the shot when it’s there
  • We work to connect plays: I stickhandle and pass to you, you shoot…WE together create scoring opportunities

WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PUCK

  • I am working twice as hard as my teammate to support the puck carrier by creating passing options
  • Defensively I am winning battles or looking to pick up open opponents
  • I am anticipating where the play will be in the next couple seconds

Player Development: Small Area Games

The Colorado Rampage utilize small-area games in all aspects of player development at all ages and levels.  Small-area games encourage players to learn by doing, while competing in an environment that encourages creativity and deception skills.  By moving the traditional landmarks of the playing surface (crease, hash marks, etc.), and modifying the playing area, players will be forced to make decisions repeatedly while battling for possession in confined areas. In addition, goaltenders will see many more shots in various game-like scenarios.  Small area games improve competitive awareness and the drive needed to win individual and team battles, and are used to introduce and practice team system play.   


Player Development: Goaltending

 

The Colorado Rampage provides a structured program to develop young athletes into skilled and successful goaltenders.  Anchored by the Bull Club, the Rampage provides players year-round specialized coaching through its own position-specific program. Goaltenders also receive individual coaching instruction and attention during all on-ice team practices.  


Player Development: Off-Ice Training

Skill development cannot be limited to on-ice training only.  To develop the complete hockey player and athlete, a comprehensive age appropriate off-ice program is crucial.  Rampage coaches incorporate agility, balance, coordination and strength training at all age levels. 

Unique to most youth programs, 365 Performance Academy provides in-house elite off-ice training.  Committed to elevating their athletic performance, in recent years, 365 has trained Junior, NCAA, and Professional hockey players, and has trained members of Team USA Figure Skating and International Figure Skaters who represent Switzerland, Japan, and France. 

Balance 6U-14U

Coordination 10U-14U

Body Control 6U-14U

Core Strength 10U-18U

Coordination 10U-14U

Agility 10U-18U


Player Development: Nutrition

There is no substitute for a healthy diet, You cannot out train a poor diet.  Poorly fueled athletes experience early fatigue.  You will be a better athlete if you eat right.  The type and amount of energy you put in your body determines the energy you can put out.  Maximizing energy maximizes performance.


YOUTH SPORT ARTICLE LINKS


Dream Big: A Message for Rampage Parents

Someone once said that a heart without dreams is like a bird without feathers.  Dreams are the fuel to ignite passion, and passion is the fire that begins a journey.  To navigate the road to success, a strong foundation for setting goals, not expectations, is necessary.  According to Dr. Jim Taylor, an internationally recognized authority in sports and parenting psychology, goals are possible accomplishments that may or may not be achieved; expectations are assumptions of achievement. John O’Sullivan, the founder and CEO of Changing the Game Project, defines two types of goals. Process goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.  Forward moving goals are hard to measure, at times not very specific, and are rarely timely, but are crucial for the journey. 

Once players are able to take ownership of their process goals, forward moving goals towards achieving dreams take shape. Parents should allow coaches and sport administrators to shape process goals, support forward moving goals, and encourage their players to dream without expectations.  Parental expectations of success will hinder the development of forward-moving- goals and dreams, will add a tremendous burden on children, and can have a detrimental effect on both confidence and passion.  Instead of expectations, parents should simply encourage their kids to have fun, and dream about undiscovered possibilities.

The key is for parents to separate their dreams from their child’s.  Driven by thoughts of a college scholarship or a professional contract, many parents live their own dreams of stardom through their kids.  These parental dreams usually manifest in expectations of development and performance, which has negative or fatal consequences for youth sport participants.  Parents should avoid placing expectations on development and performance, allow the experts within the organization to manage the process, and simply encourage effort instead of focusing on outcomes.

In 2011, an important study by Knight, Neely and Holt examined adolescent female athletes’ preferred parental behaviors at team sport events.  Their results revealed that prior to competition kids appreciated parental help in preparing to play by providing proper nutrition, however the young athletes preferred not to talk about the upcoming performance.  During competition kids preferred that their parents encourage the entire team, focus on effort not outcome, control their emotions, avoid coaching, and refrain from arguing with officials.  After competition, kids preferred their parents to provide positively phrased and honest feedback, while allowing time to process negative emotions independently. 

Focusing on behaviors and attributes that children directly control like effort and hard work is very important in youth sport development.  Avoiding judgment and pressure helps kids take ownership for their sport experiences.  Research supports that simply telling their children that “I love to watch you play” is a powerful strategy to instill passion and self-drive.   Non-verbal communication is also a powerful tool to display encouragement and positive support.  Being an attentive silent listener is often the best strategy to encourage young athletes, even if you know exactly what is needed to improve performance.  Always providing children advice to solve problems is not listening, and can actually hinder the process of developing creativity, intrinsic motivation and self-determination, which are necessary ingredients for athletic success.

Outside of formal practices and competition, parents should expose their kids to elite games either live or on television. Watching junior, college or professional hockey games provides children an opportunity to dream big by recreating highlight moments and discovering heroes.   Dr. William Gayton, a sports psychologist at the University of Southern Maine, argues that observational leaning is one of the primary avenues for children to learn, and that sports heroes will help model behavior. 

Together, youth sport organizations and parents have a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to teach kids the tools necessary to achieve success in life with sports.  This success includes inspiring players to dream big.  When dreams ignite passion, process and forward moving goals will guide the journey.  The key is keeping the process in perspective, and allowing kids to dream without any outcome expectations.  Their dreams are their wings. 

written by Shaun Hathaway


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